Sarah Michelle Gellar has a death wish in her new film

In the P.B. era (post-Buffy, that is), Sarah Michelle Gellar has had largely a hit-and-miss or totally-missed-it movie career. The Grudge in 2004? Hit. The Return in 2006? Miss. Suburban Girl in 2007? Never even heard of it. But as a loyal follower of the Buffyverse, I’ve always rooted for her to do well. So when I heard about her latest film, Veronika Decides to Die, I was naturally curious, if a tad wary.

Based on the bestselling 1998 novel of the same name by Paulo Coelho, the film follows Veronika, a young woman whose successful outward facade hides her deep depression. So, as the title suggests, she decides to commit suicide. But her attempt fails and she winds up in a mental institution instead, where she is told she has only days to live. Cheery, no. Interesting, yes.

The film also stars David Thewlis (Harry Potter films), Jonathan Tucker (The Ruins) and Erika Christensen (Traffic). The setting was moved from Slovenia to New York for the film, which is slated for release in March.

At first glance, having not read the book, the trailer reminds me of Girl, Interrupted. A troubled young woman who attempts suicide, a stay in a mental institution. Of course, what it lacks is Angelina Jolie to chew through the scenery.